Overview & Reviews

Owned by General Motors, Cadillac is America's most prestigious domestic luxury automaker. For most of its existence, the company was known exclusively for its cushy, senior-friendly sedans, but in more recent years the automaker has revised and expanded its lineup in a successful effort to attract a new, younger generation. Cadillac's roster now includes SUVs (its Escalade is a favorite of both rappers and suburban moms), a crossover and even a high-performance wagon.

Born in 1902, Cadillac was founded by Henry Martyn Leland, a manufacturer of automotive components. He named the company after a noted French explorer who discovered Detroit in the early 1700s. Leland helped create one of the company's earliest offerings -- the Cadillac Osceola, noted for being the industry's first concept car and the first closed-body car made in America. Only one Osceola was made, but it helped spark a trend; closed bodies caught on and spread like wildfire through the industry.

Cadillac quickly gained a reputation for specializing in precise craftsmanship and for using standardized parts. The success of early Cadillacs like the Model A and the "30" made the brand a sales success, so much so that the automaker was purchased by General Motors in 1909. The marque became GM's luxury division, and its list of innovations grew. Cadillac was the first U.S. auto manufacturer to produce a V8, the first to use thermostatic control of a cooling system and the first to offer dash-controlled headlights. During the 1930s, the brand earned a strong reputation for producing powerful and smooth V12 and V16 engines.

Soon after World War II, Cadillac history hit a high point as its tailfinned and chrome-laden cars became the epitome of American postwar automotive style. Cadillac's tailfin took its cue from Lockheed's P38 Lightning Aircraft, and was the brainchild of designer Frank Hershey. Vehicles like the Coupe de Ville and Fleetwood El Dorado made Cadillac a staple in upscale neighborhoods and among the Hollywood set.

By the 1960s, Cadillac's flashy tailfins had given way to a new styling cue: vertical taillights. This attribute was in evidence on one of Cadillac's most successful new cars of that decade, the Fleetwood Sixty Special. The Fleetwood offered luxury features that were cutting-edge for its day, such as fold-down writing tables, footrests and a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel.

The gas crunch of the 1970s, however, started a downward trend for the company. Cadillac's Titanic-sized behemoths that ruled the highways in previous decades were increasingly out of touch and out of favor. Cadillac responded to the changing times by downscaling the dimensions of many vehicles in its lineup. Despite this smart maneuvering, the automaker's fortunes suffered in the late '70s when it unveiled a diesel engine that quickly earned a reputation for spotty performance.

The 1980s saw the redesign of the Seville, a vehicle whose unique bustle-back styling sparked a trend and inspired its share of imitators. That decade also witnessed the rollout of the Cimarron, a small car that was essentially a rebadged Chevy Cavalier, the latter an economy car not exactly known for excellence. Understandably, the Cimarron never caught on with the public. Things got worse when Cadillac launched a series of underpowered, unreliable V8s during the first half of that decade that, along with the notoriously unreliable diesel, cost the automaker thousands of customers, millions of dollars and immeasurable damage to its reputation.

By the early '90s, Cadillac started a major turnaround as it brought out redesigned, stylish models with vastly improved engines. Shortly after the new millennium bowed, the company adopted its "Art & Science" design philosophy. With styling cues that included sharp, almost severe lines and stacked headlamps, Art & Science was first seen on Cadillac's 1999 Evoq concept roadster. By the mid-2000s, this bold new look had reinvigorated the company's sales, and was seen on hits such as the Escalade SUV and the CTS sport sedan.

This fresh styling, coupled with improvements in performance and overall product quality, has done a great deal to help Cadillac recover much of its previous status. Today's Cadillacs, which include coupes, sedans, crossovers and SUVs, are known for offering powerful engines, chiseled lines, sharp handling and a full accoutrement of luxury features.

User Reviews:

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  Initial Thoughts - 2004 Cadillac Escalade EXT
  By o2b ski n - September 19 - 10:00 am

  Weve only had our EXT a few weeks but can say its a hoot to drive. My wife had a Lexus RX300 and I had a Tahoe Z71; the EXT is a solid compromise for both of us to consolidate our needs into one vehicle. It handled the winding up and down curves of the Sea to Sky highway on the Canadian coast extremely well. Were not looking back, NO regrets on our decision to buy our EXT!

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  DTS Performs to Expectations - 2000 Cadillac Deville
  By Muttwalker - September 19 - 2:00 am

  This car corners like it is on railroad tracks considering its size. Creature comforts are superb and it rides like a dream. Averaging 23 mpg during a country road, city street, and freeway commute.

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  comfort - 2002 Cadillac Deville
  By lazboy - September 18 - 2:00 am

  Very comfortable, the DTS is great inside, and the gps is super. I had MB before but am very please with this car.

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  The best SUV! - 2005 Cadillac SRX
  By Jeanette Nelson - September 13 - 10:00 am

  Overall this SUV was the best I drive when I was looking for a new car. I like the way it drives and handles on the road. Drives the easies and overall operates the best of any SUV that I drive. I tried out lots of them.

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  2002 DTS - 2003 Cadillac Deville
  By Dave Albanese - September 12 - 2:00 am

  After owning a 2000 DTS and having lots of problems right out of the show room I was a little against another Caddy but gave it a second try and so far overall performance and quality has been superb. On long trips which I have only made one its a dream and just daily driving is a pleasure. Its Quality++++

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  Sweet Ride - 1998 Cadillac Eldorado
  By e8retired91 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Purchased about 5 months ago and put on 5000 miles so far. This is an impressive car especially with the Crimson Red Pearl paint. I get lots of favorable comments from almost everyone. Awesome power and very good fuel mileage for a 3900 pound car. Very comfortable and fun to drive. Have noticed it uses about 1/2 quart of oil every 1000 miles but no smoke or leaks. Not pleased about rapid depreciation...its worth much more.

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  My SRX 4 Should have stayed in FLORIDA - 2013 Cadillac SRX
  By Johnny Intrieri - September 4 - 3:14 am

  Ive owned a 2006 STS since brand new. Love my baby. Moved Upstate N.Y. My wife had a 2005 STS fully loaded. Had to trade in her 05 cause both cars are rear wheel drive. We couldnt get up our driveway. Bought a 11 Equinox. Great in snow. Traded in Equinox for a 15 Model. Only we leased this one. Loved it! Great in snow! Lease ended. Saw a 2013 SRX 4 on the lot. Black & Beautiful. 22,000 miles. First snow fall yesterday. Our SRX 4 came from Florida. Well our Caddy was boating all over the Thruway! Scary!! Just bought this beauty in August. Hate to trade it in. The SRX 4 is not made for SNOW! Very dissatisfied. Needless to say, my 2006 STS stays put in the snow. Cadillac let me down. The boating feeling was very uneasy. Ill give the SRX 4 one more chance. Will keep you posted.

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  JXA/SLS - 1998 Cadillac Seville
  By JXA - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Handles great, hugs curves excellently, great pickup power & steady smooth highway driving. Looks brand new, shines like a mirror and the inside is inpeckable. Only has 27, 800 miles. Last years mileage was 4,200!

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  awsome car - 1997 Cadillac Deville
  By Rapidman - September 2 - 2:00 am

  As a former Mercedes SL driver and Porsche 911 driver, I was pleasantly surprised to have so much road feel in this Concours. The 300 HP also is a delight to drive. Was unhappy with the lack of an in dash CD player, however found a Bose on e-bay from a newer model and fits great (a dealer needs to re-code the deck). The body design is attractive, without the goggle eyed front end of the o1s

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  96 STS - 1996 Cadillac Seville
  By Betty - August 29 - 2:00 am

  The car feels, looks and drives luxurious. The outside mirrors are huge, but dont give visibilty to warrant their size. Ive had a Rolls Silver Spur and several Lincolns,I really prefer this size wise. The ride is great.